why not use wrapping paper to line the back of your cabinet?

Posted in Why-Not-Wednesdays by Julie

whynotwednesday6

Measure. Cut. Tape.

wrapping paper

Before committing to paint or wallpaper for that cabinet or open shelving that isn’t as colorful or interesting as you would like it to be, give wrapping paper a try. Not only is it available in all sorts of fun patterns but it is also inexpensive. Which makes this quick DIY a no-brainer! If after a week you decide you no longer like the look, rip it out the way you would unwrap a gift!

Check out these two fantastic examples (below) from Old Beach Bungalow and In My Own Style.

via Old Beach Bungalow

via In My Own Style

This past weekend I got the urge to putter around the house and make some accessory changes and even moved furniture around (more on that to come!): In my dining room I have this gorgeous vintage steel tanker bookcase (photo below).

Dining Room: Vintage Steel Lawyers Bookcase

I decided to move it to a different wall and restyle it, but because it’s no longer right across from the windows it is shaded and makes it hard to see anything displayed inside. I figured this would be a great opportunity to give the wrapping paper idea a try. I had recently bought a nice roll of pale grey hounds-tooth wrapping paper. It took me about 5 minutes to do, and I really like how it draws your eye in. I’m still not 100% sure I will keep it this way forever, but it’s always fun to experiment and try something new.

vintage steel tanker bookcae

houdstooth wrapping paper lined cabinet

wine glasses displayed wrapping paper lined cabinet

Thanks for checking in,

-Julie

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5Jun2013

Why not add some real to the fake?

Posted in Why-Not-Wednesdays by Julie

whynotwednesday6

I know, I know. Fake flowers are regarded as atrocious and gaudy -and for the most part I agree. BUT, last spring, just before Easter, I posted about these Fake Forsythia spring containers I came up with (you can read more about them HERE).

Spring 2012 containers

This year I did the same thing, except when the warmer weather came around, I didn’t take them out when I added my real flowers.

*Gasp*

I figured, why not leave them? The bold color mix is great since my home is kind of far from the street, they really pop! Of course in another couple of weeks when the real flowers grow bigger and fuller I will remove them …until then I’m happy to fake it!

Spring 2013 containers

spring flower containers

How about you? Have you ever faked it? :-)

-Julie

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29May2013

Why not spruce up your sofa with Dog Beds?!

Posted in My House, Why-Not-Wednesdays by Julie

“watch out pooch, dog beds are not just for the dogs!”

dog bed pillows

Even if you don’t have a four legged best friend, you have to admit that there are some cute dog beds popping up these days at places like Target and even Costco. They come in a variety of fabrics and patterns and are very reasonably priced considering the massive size of the “throw pillow”. That’s right, when you really stop to think about it, a dog bed is nothing but a huge throw pillow. Which got me thinking… for those with a daybed or who have an old sofa that needs a little oomph, why not add/replace the large back pillows with large dog beds?! An easy, super budget friendly solution!

Dog Bed Throw Pillows/Pet Beds

Not convinced? I recently did a mini-make-over in my own master bedroom. I had a daybed from West Elm, which I had bought for the sitting room at our last house. In this house, I placed it in the bedroom but wanted to put it up against the wall under the TV and have it be more of a reading, lounging sofa, but still be used as a “mommmm I’m sick/had a bad dream” emergency bed. Throw pillows are fine… but for real comfort you need an actual proper padded back. I looked into sewing and DIY-ing something -until I was browsing a HomeSense store (also known as HomeGoods depending on where you live) and it hit me: DOG BEDS!!! The right size and cheaper than anything I could make. Not to mention, available in all sorts of cute prints and colors.

dog bed throw pillows on day bed

usingdogbedpillowsondaybedsofa

Are you sold? Would you use a dog bed as a throw pillow? Let me know what you think!

UPDATE: Full reveal of my master bedroom mini-makeover HERE!

-Julie

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the tube dress turned pillow!

22May2013

The Tube Dress Throw Pillow Skirt

Posted in I Like What I Like, Why-Not-Wednesdays by Julie

sequins tube dress FOREVER 21

I have teenagers. Which means I often shop in places like Urban Planet, Forever 21 and American Eagle. Sometimes, I’ll even come home with a little something for myself. No, I am not the mom who goes to Pilates wearing leggings with “SASSY” written across her behind, nor am I running to the grocery store in daisy dukes and cropped flouncy tops. However, when it comes to inexpensive jewelry, scarves or a pair of polka dot flip flops -I’m in!

tube dress

Sometime back in February, I was checking out the clearance racks, looking for deals for the kids when I spotted some really nice holiday tube dresses or should I say tube tops?! (side note: I mean, is it just me or are some of these dresses designed for young women under 4 feet tall!) Anyways, I had a great idea …and for the price, I felt it was worth testing out my little experiment…

sequins aqua tube dress

Once home I made a small cut to the dress liner (using fabric scissors) and removed the built-in bra cups.

cutting the bra cups from tube dress

Next, I grabbed a rectangle (not square) pillow and inserted it to the middle part of the dress and folded the sides inward… and that’s it. A no sew pillow in an instant!

tube dress turned pillow

Now, obviously this is the kind of throw pillow you don’t have on your TV watching sofa, or on a chair that gets tons of use, because aside from not being comfortable to snuggle with, it isn’t made to be handled: the pillow will eventually work it’s way loose and out of the dress. However, on a daybed, tucked in a sea of other pillows, in my bedroom -it’s perfect!

tube dress turned pillow

Why don’t I just make a proper DIY pillow and sew it up you ask? Well this is the best part: Because for the once a year (if that) where I wish I had a sparkly party skirt, I can have that too -also, in an instant. Yup, these form-fitting-20-something-club-hopping-tube-dresses, make for a sweet twist on the just above the knee or of the moment midi skirt! (tip:be sure to keep the shirt and shoes simple).

tube dress turned skirt

This past Saturday night, when my daughter started to rummage in my closet to help me choose an outfit for my friends 40th surprise birthday party, I told her that I had it under control and whipped the pillow out of the Tube-Dress-Throw-Pillow-Skirt and slipped it on. Despite sighing and calling me a mermaid (isn’t that a good thing?) I know she was secretly impressed.

TUTORIAL: The-Tube-Dress-Throw-Pillow-Skirt

So, what do you think? Any of you have a DIY story of a dress or skirt turned something else? Feel free to share!

tube dress turned skirt

-Julie

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24Apr2013

Why Not Wednesday : from unused nook to space with a purpose!

Posted in Why-Not-Wednesdays by Julie

Poorly designed closet. Unused nook. Awkward alcove.
Why not transform it to maximize storage and space?

In my hubs home office he recently did just that! He has a nook which should have been a closet (as per our house plans). But as we built the house I decided to leave it completely open and purposely chose to have it finished as a nook. I imagined that the little space would be better suited with built-in shelves rather than a closet with a door that would be in the way when it opened into the room. The hubs installed metal brackets with white melamine shelves but after almost three years the shelves began sagging and to be honest it just never looked attractive and properly finished. A few weekends ago he tore it all out and after a trip to the hardware store for some pine boards he began making custom shelves that would nicely store all of his office equipment and supplies.

Hubs building pine built in shelves

He measured and planned out what equipment and supplies would go where and passed the necessary wires and cables, hiding them (if he could) in what looks like a solid supporting wood piece going through the middle. We chose to paint out the shelves the same color as the rest of the room so as to not draw any special attention to what’s being stored on them since they aren’t meant for decorative but practical storage purposes.

nook built in shelves home office

Above: I hate wires, but even though you still see a few (bottom shelf) the rest are pretty well hidden. Below is the view walking into the office. Notice how you don’t see the shelves at all until you are in the room since they are slightly recessed!

walking into the office